East Gadsden Baptist sets Veterans Day service

Published: Friday, November 9, 2012 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 7:29 p.m.

East Gadsden Baptist Church will conduct a special service Sunday morning to celebrate Veterans Day. The program will begin at 10:45 a.m. and end with a free Thanksgiving-style noon meal.

Allen Hudson, the church’s minister of music, said the general public is invited to attend the service and stay over for the meal.

The program will include the Pledge of Allegiance, led by retired Army CSM Clark Kennedy. The Etowah Sheriff’s Department will post the colors and Commandant Johnny Baker, Alabama Marine Corps League, will speak.

There will be patriotic music, such as “In God We Still Trust,” song by guest soloist Matt Mabrey. The church choir will sing, “I Love This Land,” a song made popular by Gold City Quartet. The solo part will be sung by church member Jonathan Watkins.

Local Marine veteran Gary McBride will play the bagpipes during the ceremony.

In addition to veterans from all branches of the service, Ron Edwards, a church deacon, said first responders from the area’s law enforcement agencies, firefighters and medical emergency personnel also have accepted invitations to attend, along with city and county officials.

The Rev. Max Roden is interim pastor of the church, which is located at 211 Sixth St. N., East Gadsden, just off Meighan Boulevard across from the Goodyear plant.

<p>East Gadsden Baptist Church will conduct a special service Sunday morning to celebrate Veterans Day. The program will begin at 10:45 a.m. and end with a free Thanksgiving-style noon meal.</p><p>Allen Hudson, the church's minister of music, said the general public is invited to attend the service and stay over for the meal.</p><p>The program will include the Pledge of Allegiance, led by retired Army CSM Clark Kennedy. The Etowah Sheriff's Department will post the colors and Commandant Johnny Baker, Alabama Marine Corps League, will speak.</p><p>There will be patriotic music, such as “In God We Still Trust,” song by guest soloist Matt Mabrey. The church choir will sing, “I Love This Land,” a song made popular by Gold City Quartet. The solo part will be sung by church member Jonathan Watkins.</p><p>Local Marine veteran Gary McBride will play the bagpipes during the ceremony.</p><p>In addition to veterans from all branches of the service, Ron Edwards, a church deacon, said first responders from the area's law enforcement agencies, firefighters and medical emergency personnel also have accepted invitations to attend, along with city and county officials.</p><p>The Rev. Max Roden is interim pastor of the church, which is located at 211 Sixth St. N., East Gadsden, just off Meighan Boulevard across from the <a href="http://www.gadsdentimes.com/goodyear"><b>Goodyear</b></a> plant.</p>